Here are a couple of items you might be interested in from Sierra Club Currents (online newsletter). 1. Greens Win Release of Key Energy Documents Let the sunshine in! Enviornmentalists yesterday ensured that Americans will have access to crucial information on the Cheney Energy Task Force's Enron-influenced energy plan. The Natural Resources Defense Council won its suit against the Energy Department, forcing the release of thousands of documents which will help show whether the task force acted on behalf of its friends in the oil, gas, and energy industries. NRDC aren't the only ones seeking more information on the task force. Sierra Club filed its own suit against the Vice President, and even the investigative arm of Congress is taking legal action, both seeking different sets of documents. Looks like alot of people think the Vice President might be hiding something. We may find out pretty soon! For more information on this legal victory, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/28/business/28INFO.html?todaysheadlines 2. Countdown to Cleaner Elections Get ready for action, because campaign finance reform is headed for the Senate! Fresh off their victory in the House, proponents of getting big money out of politics have high hopes for another huge win. But obstacles remain: Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, arch-foe of reform, is threatening to filibuster the bill, meaning 60 votes are needed to pass it. Recent statements from swing Senators suggest that the tide is turning in the right direction, but in politics, anything can happen. Stay tuned! To see how your Senators voted on campaign finance legislation last April, go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/votewatch/2001/mccainfeingold.asp ----- 3. Pope and Podesta Urge Democratic Senators to Protect the Arctic The Sierra Club teamed with former White House Chief of Staff John Podesta Wednesday, urging Democratic Senators to oppose destructive oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Club Executive Director Carl Pope and Podesta were an awesome one-two combination as they engaged in a vigorous dialogue with drilling advocates from the Teamsters at a Senate Democratic Caucus event. As several swing Senators looked on, Pope and Podesta spoke for millions of Americans, reminding the lawmakers that drilling would destroy America's last pristine wilderness area while doing nothing to address our energy needs. It's hard to argue with that! 5. Join the Movement for a Cleaner, Cheaper, Safer Energy Future It's crunch time for the biggest grassroots effort in the history of the environmental movement, with the Senate beginning debate on the Daschle energy bill this week. This is the crucial moment to take action to protect America's last great wilderness and put us on the path to a cleaner, cheaper, and safer energy future. Contact your Senators right now and urge them to vote for three critical items in the Daschle energy bill: 1. Protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge 2. A significant raise in fuel economy standards, so that cars and SUVs go further on a gallon of gas 3. Funding for renewable energy sources Go to the site below to send an email directly to your Senator. There's even a draft provided! http://www.sierraclub.org/action/?alid=68&rf=-68999 Erin Jordahl Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club 3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280 Des Moines, IA 50310 515-277-8868 [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask]